To get the Tube to work on Friday

[JADS]

I have been working from home for the last 3 weeks, but unfortunately I need to go in on Friday. I could drive and parking is free at the moment, but it will take me nearly 1 hour and I have to drive through the centre of London. The Tube is only slightly longer.

I'm a confident driver when in comes to motorways, country lanes and suburbia. The idea of driving in that there London scares the living shit out of me.

Then again the Tube is germ ridden at the best of times.

I don't know what's best. Has it been quieter?

I’d drive, it will be quiet on the roads.

The roads are so much quieter.

I would leave plenty of time and drive

Well, although I'll never know, I'm pretty sure I caught my probably-covid-19 symptoms on the tube in March. I really wish I'd taken an Uber instead. So why not drive as far as you're happy to and then get a cab the rest of the way.

London roads (inc central) are so quiet at the moment, parking can still be difficult though. I think the congestion charge has been suspended but do double check this

What rout are you taking and what sort of time? Last few days it’s been very quiet

What exactly scares you? London is the same as a busy town centre, just much much bigger and actually slower in some ways as not much space.

Now however traffic will be right down.

I would drive. Check parking before you go but definitely drive.

I’m not from London and was not looking forward to driving in central London when I had to go down recently, but it is not that bad even in normal times so it should be fine now it’s quieter. Just put your satnav on and you’ll be fine.

The roads are earily empty at the moment. You'll sail in to work. I'd drive for sure.

@Iggly I can't put my finger on it. I have never really commuted to work in a car so it seems very alien. My old boss used to offer me lifts into London of an evening and they were by far the most hair raising car journeys I have ever had. Also I worry about getting lost.

I know you are all right. Driving so far wouldn't work as I go straight across the middle so the tube would be busy when I get on.

Urgh. I have turned into my mother (who never drove on a motorway in all the years I have been alive,)

Car definitely, then again I hate the tube with a passion and am much happier in my car.
As others have said the roads will be quieter which will help.

Drive,it’s quiet so it’s the perfect time. Check your route or use a sat nav so you don’t get lost.

Googlemaps satnav is your friend. You'll be fine. Im dyspraxic and drive in London - if I can do it, you can...

(Top tip: use your left hand mirror a lot to look out for cars coming up on your left)

I'm the same as you OP - quite happy bombing up and down motorways but the idea of driving in London scares me rigid! When I moved to London I sold my car...

But honestly, the roads are so so quiet. Even I would drive out there now. If you have free parking available then I'd go in the car, no question.

I would study my route beforehand on maps and go armed with a good sat nav though!

If you can avoid public transport then you should do so. The roads will be much quieter than usual, but allow plenty of time and don’t panic, you’ll be fine.

This is probably your best opportunity, ever, to do London (or any other busy roads for any other readers) by car.

I need to go to a medical appointment in London on Friday and I am 100% driving, no way am I going on the tube! The roads are quiet at the moment you will be fine :)

A sat nav is your friend, or google maps on your phone.

Drive. Everywhere is dead anyway, London won’t be like how it was 3 weeks ago. Use satnav. It’s safer, more pleasant and right now just a much better way than risking it on public transport

I hear the roads are very quiet

Tube use is down 95% according to the TFL email.

Drive, I learned to drive in East London so it doesn't bother me, but the roads now are very quiet. You're better off using Waze than Google maps though, the traffic is more accurate for London (maybe elsewhere too but I've only used it in and around London)

I've been coming in to London twice a week by car for medical appointments. The roads are super quiet, it's nothing like normal. The only thing I'd recommend is to check the route satnav is suggesting and pick one that has as few turns as possible. It has a real tendency to pick a twisty turny route that is allegedly five minutes quicker but that just adds major stress as then you have to keep working out what lane to be in, where to turn etc. You'll have a much nicer time with a slightly longer but simpler route.

Even as a bit of a germaphobe I still love the tube. Due to carefulness (and maybe some luck) I've never caught anything from the tube.
That said, these are different times.

However, as you say that the tube is "slightly longer", then there is never a better time to minimise the risk and drive. I drove through Central(ish) London once and it wasn't as bad as I thought - Though this was a Sunday so generally quiet (though congestion charge free). Even with roadworks, the satnav guided me through.
I love the convenience of the tube. But, in this case, I would recommend trying the drive - why not? Especially if parking is free.

I was like you and avoided driving through central London for years. I had to do it one Christmas when it was really quiet and I have built my confidence from there. It will be quiet on Friday and you will be fine.

My tip is to plan the route looking for the easiest not the shortest route. For example I take a longer route via A13 and Limehouse link as I know it is more straightforward and a dual carriageway (or wider).

You would be unreasonable to drive when it will pollute unnecessarily. If so many people hadn't done that routinely already, there wouldn't be so many vulnerable to respiratory disease.

Rosie, I have asthma and believe me, the air quality on the Tube ain’t good. I get the bus whenever I can.